JR feeds stranded passengers drinks past use-by date

SAPPORO (majirox news) — Express train passengers stranded by heavy rains that stopped services over the weekend were given compensatory beverages to drink that were six months past their use-by dates, JR Hokkaido Railway Co. said Aug. 15.

JR Hokkaido handed out about 160 health drinks to about 150 passengers on the Super Kamui express train running from Sapporo to Asahikawa when heavy rain left the train immobile for more than an hour on Sunday morning.

Upon arrival at Asahikawa, a passenger complained that the drinks had passed their use-by date and the company discovered that about 120 of the beverages it had handed out should have been consumed by Feb. 16.